Obituary — Randy Banks (cont.)
• In October of 2018, Mr. Banks launched a bogus workplace restraining order against Mr. Strand, falsely accusing him of threatening women at the Tour, hitting an ex-girlfriend, running through the hall screaming at Jan, and threatening to kill Dickens... all paid for by the HOA.
Apparently, it bothered no one on the Board that David once threw a drink in Henry's face at a board meeting, a much more severe incident (the cops were called); and yet the HOA did nothing in that case.
I'll never forget the time Colleen shouted at me after the needless recall of Evans, merely because I suggested, "now none of the Board members actually live here". Which is to say nothing of the scene Joyce made minutes before. (The ballroom floor would still be original today, had they recalled Alaine instead. By the way, don't ever throw your support behind a Board member. They might one day betray you.)
So apparently, if I have a problem with a Board member, I ultimately have to hire a lawyer to defend against the one he gets to use for free. Who decided to falsely accuse me of domestic violence in a "workplace" restraining order?
• Banks then became the first Board member to commit a felony while performing his duties in office. On October 18, 2018, at the restraining order hearing, led by the unscrupulous Castle lawyer, Banks brazenly committed perjury, falsely testifying that the women of the Castle had to wear rape whistles around their necks because of Strand.
The next day, we asked one of the elevator pilots about the rape whistles. He hadn't even heard about the restraining order.
• After obtaining his Bogus Restraining Order, Banks still wasn't done. In November, Banks summoned his creepy old buddy and former resident, General, to start lurking around the building. A week later, on November 15, 2018, he sent an email to Dianne, threatening a civil suit unless she and Strand moved "back to Seatle" [sic]. The restraining order had merely been a futile attempt to "evict" Mr. Strand from the Castle.
The restraining order killed the Thursday Social, which had gone on for years. Adapting to our new life of isolation, we adopted a dog from the shelter, calling her Violet.
• At a Castle party, a drunken Banks harassed Jim because of Jim's support of Strand. (Jim has lived at the Castle longer than almost anyone.) He repeatedly asked Jim the same question: "Do you like me? Do you like me?"
• In late December, Peggy noticed a gash on the right rear tire of Strand's car. It looked as if someone had taken a knife to it. Strand quietly replaced the tire for $210.
• In April of 2019, Banks moved out. He had abruptly sold his place because he desperately needed the money. Ironically so, as he had been serving as Castle Treasurer.
Banks' Castle story definitely should have ended there. It didn't.